Groei! Amsterdam

In the proposal of Groei!, architecture is serving nature whereby plot 2 and 3 become an important stepping stone in the nature network of Amsterdam. Together with adjacent green areas such as Tuinpark Amstelglorie, the gardens of the Bajeskwartier, the Drieburg sports park and the Nieuwe Ooster cemetery, the location will establish an ecological connection between the Amstelscheg and the Diemerscheg. Like the other parks in the chain, Groei! forms a resting point for both people and animals. The roof landscape on the plinth and the maximal green facades give the feeling of being in the midst of nature. The hustle of the city cannot be seen or heard in the heart of the inner gardens.

Plot 2 and plot 3 will each have a distinct identity and appearance, but for both courtyards it applies that they explicitly contribute to the improvement of biodiversity and make the climate as pleasant as possible for both big and small residents. The relationship between nature and human is central to this. In this way we draw nature into the city, close to the city residents. Plot 2 is characterized as a green valley, with playful height differences and lush vegetation, whereby a green blanket seems to fall over the stepped volumes. Plot 3 is characterized as an edible food forest, with its fruit trees, nut trees, edible climbing plants, vegetables and herbs. The design of both plots touches upon many themes of circular ambitions, such as nature inclusiveness, biodiversity, social cohesion, exercise, food production, waste flows and climate adaptiveness for a rainproof Amsterdam.

Groei! not only creates a green oasis at height, but also maximizes the connection with the surrounding at ground level. For this nature-inclusive plan, we are not limiting ourselves to just the landscape on the roof, but a three-dimensional world is created by connecting building components with each other and making them green, from the gardens at ground level to the planted facades and the highest roofs. In this high-rise building, you are no longer further removed from nature, but rather we use the vertical areas to connect the different layers. The 85% vegetated facades allow the architecture to transform with the seasons, with periods of flowering to leaves changing colour in autumn. In addition, a rich array of nesting boxes will be integrated in the buildings and gardens. By placing them precisely, various zones are designated for ecological purposes only. These zones are inaccessible to residents, so that sheltered spots are created for birds and insects.

Amsterdam, Weespertrekvaart, commissioned by Vorm, in collaboration with Architekten Cie, Temp architecture, Raumplan, Donkergroep and Bureau Viridis. Renders by Parallel Visualization, competition, circular city, healthy city, climate adaptive city, densification, Flux landscape architecture, 2022.